03 16 21 Minutes

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March 16, 2021
Page 3 of 3

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REQUESTS FROM CITIZENS

Ms. Phyllis Williams stated she did not have anything to request and wanted to defer her time to Glenn
Whiting. Mayor Perkinson advised Ms. Williams that they did not defer time. Jan Lane, 119 Elk Street,
requested the timing on the traffic signal at Congress Parkway where Tellico Avenue comes out be
adjusted so it would trip sooner or when there is no cross traffic. The problem she was specifically
addressing was the light when you are heading west on Tellico coming up to Congress Parkway. Ms. Lane
also requested someone look at the traffic signal when you are coming out of the shopping center where
Hobby Lobby is located and trying to turn left onto Congress Parkway. The wait is extremely long at both
intersections when there is no cross traffic. Larry Eaton, 279 Sweetfield Valley Road, presented the City
Council and City Attorney with a folder containing a copy of his speech and documentation. He requested
the City Manager be required to reimburse the City for travel and entertainment expenses related to his
international trips to Israel and India and not be permitted to take any more international trips using City
funds; the disciplinary action against the Parks & Recreation Director to be looked into and the Director’s
personnel record expunged and an apology issued by the City Manager; the City Manager’s yearly
evaluation system requiring a council member to explain the reasons for a bad grade be thrown out. This
evaluation system needs to be looked into and the grading needs to be redone. Lastly, he requested
action be taken now to upgrade the Animal Shelter. Glenn Whiting, 237 County Road 655, stated he
wanted to file a complaint against the Mayor and City Manager for bringing up Larry Eaton and his name
in the City Manager’s conversation with his neighbor. He wanted to know who he should file the
complaint with since he was in a lawsuit with the City Attorney and City Manager and his complaint
involved the Mayor. His second request was for the Council to look at the City Charter as it relates to the
City Manager serving as Hearing Officer on substandard housing issues. Cobia Edgemon was next on the
sign in sheet but stated she thought you had to sign in to attend the meeting and did not have any
requests. Larry Wallace, 127 Black Bear Cove, along with Dr. Harley Knowles and Paul Willson, stated
something needs to be done with the Animal Shelter to make it safe for the animals and the people
working at the Shelter and urged the City to move forward with the improvements.

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REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Sumner reviewed his monthly report including the various Parks and Recreation and Public
Works projects and activities going on throughout the city.

Council Member Pelley stated he wanted to rise to a point of order and was recognized by Mayor
Perkinson. He noted that he had completed an evaluation of the City Manager the same way for the past
18 years. This year the evaluation process was changed, and his evaluation was not included, and they
might want to go back and redo it. He wanted the Council to know that he had filed a grievance against
Angie Carrier, MTAS Consultant. Mayor Perkinson responded that the directions were the same last year
as they were this year stating a mark of “Below Expectations” shall be accompanied by a reasonable
narrative and marks without narrative would not be scored. Since Council Member Pelley chose not to
follow the directions, his evaluation was not included in the scoring. When you put “Below Expectations”
then directions tell you to make comments to the City Manager so he can make changes to improve. City
Manager Sumner stated that this has been on the evaluations for many years back to the prior City
Manager. He said that he had tried to speak to Council Member Pelley on numerous occasions on how
he can meet his expectations but Council Member Pelley refuses to tell him what his expectations are.
City Manager Sumner pointed out that Council Member Pelley has incorrectly used Point of Order in the
meeting. A Point of Order can be raised at any time when a member notices a violation of the rules.

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ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the meeting and upon motion duly made and seconded,
the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

L, bn Weazie

WILLIAM BO PERKINSON, Mayor